The music sector has its own ecosystem of grants and support, running parallel to the general cultural grants system. Foundations linked to rights management entities, specific composition programmes, performer residencies, prizes with financial endowment — there are more sector-specific resources than many musicians know.
Fundació SGAE
The Fundació SGAE is the social and cultural arm of Spain’s SGAE (the composers’ rights management society). It manages a broad catalogue of grants and support for musicians and authors:
Artist residency grants: partnerships with residency centres in Spain for composers, lyricists and musical authors wanting a concentrated work period.
Music creation grants: subsidies for new compositions, recordings and premieres. Accessible for SGAE members or those of its associated entities.
Training grants: for advanced or specialised music studies, in Spain and abroad.
Most Fundació SGAE programmes require membership of the SGAE or an associated entity (DAMA, AIE, etc.). The Foundation’s website publishes calls throughout the year.
Fundació BBVA
The Fundació BBVA has an annual programme of grants and prizes in classical music, jazz and contemporary music. Includes disc production, musicological research and awards for the best work of each season.
Berklee: international grants
For musicians seeking international higher education:
- Berklee Online has partial scholarships for international students.
- Berklee Campus Valencia: the European campus has grant programmes for its master’s students.
Programmes for composers
- IRCAM (Paris): the Institute for Research and Coordination in Acoustics/Music hosts residents and researchers in electronic music, acousmatic and music technologies.
- Impuls Academy (Austria): for contemporary music and new creation.
- ZKM (Karlsruhe): Centre for Art and Media, with residency programmes for experimental musicians.
Recording support
Some grants specifically cover recording and disc production:
- ICEC (Generalitat de Catalunya): music production grants include subsidies for recordings.
- INAEM: the music programme includes support for production and disc publishing.
- PRS Foundation (UK): for musicians wanting to access the British circuit.
Prizes with financial endowment
Prizes that include financial endowment function effectively as grants:
- National Music Prize (Ministry of Culture): recognition and endowment for Spanish musicians and composers.
- International composition competitions: many international festivals (Huddersfield, Darmstadt, Donaueschingen) include prizes with financial endowment for selected or awarded composers.
Searching by sector
Classical music: foundations of major orchestras, Palau de la Música programmes, conservatory calls.
Jazz: the International Jazz Federation and national federations publish sector-specific calls.
Traditional and folk music: the Generalitat de Catalunya has specific programmes for traditional music through its Directorate General of Popular Culture.
Electronic and experimental music: Hangar (Barcelona) residencies, IRCAM programmes and European electronic music centres.
See also:
- European cultural grants for artists
- INAEM and Ministry of Culture grants
- Performing arts grants: dance, theatre, circus
Ressona supports musicians in building the professional digital presence needed to compete for grants and reach the right programmers. Get in touch.